Now that the weather is warmer and we can head outside to do more things I thought I would try and find a good homemade granola bar recipe to throw in the backpack for hikes/beach/etc.
They are even good for grab-and-go for breakfasts.
They are even good for grab-and-go for breakfasts.
I do have a really yummy one that I have used for a few years but this one sounded even healthier than mine so I thought I would give it a whirl.
Did I like this one better than mine?
Hmmm...
I still haven't decided.
I will have to make mine and share it with you so you can be the judge.
(Update: Click HERE for my Chewy Granola Energy Bars)
(Update: Click HERE for my Chewy Granola Energy Bars)
Peanut Butter Sesame Granola Bar
(from Life and running in Iowa)
Ingredients
1/3 cup oats
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
2/3 cup sesame seeds
4 Tbsp ground flax
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup peanut butter
Directions
Lightly spray an 8 X 8 (or 9X9) baking pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and then lightly spray again. Set aside.
In a food processor, pulse the oats and coconut flakes until finely ground.
Remove to a bowl. Then pulse the peanuts and cashews until roughly chopped. Add
to oatmeal/coconut mixture. Stir in sunflower seeds and flax.
Toast sesame seeds in a skillet over medium heat. Keep a close eye on them,
stirring often, and remove to oat mixture when they turn blonde.
Add the peanut butter and maple syrup to the skillet and heat until runny and well combined (just a few seconds). Stir into oat mixture until well combined.
Press into prepared baking dish. Store in fridge.
Add the peanut butter and maple syrup to the skillet and heat until runny and well combined (just a few seconds). Stir into oat mixture until well combined.
Press into prepared baking dish. Store in fridge.
I used a 9 X9 pan.
According to the blog I got this from - Life and running in Iowa - if you cut the bars into 16 pieces then it is 184 calories per bar. Not too shabby.
These are super simple to throw together, you don't have to heat up the oven - which is a huge plus in the summer - and are super delicious.
I loved the sesame seeds in these.
I will whip up my recipe soon and see which ones are my favorites.
Have a look at My Turn (for us) for some great links.
Have a look at My Turn (for us) for some great links.
These sound like just awesome granola bars. I love the different twist to them. Also very healthy with the flax. Thank you for Sharing at Freedom Fridays.
ReplyDeleteIn your recipe list of ingredients you have maple syrup but in the directions you have honey. Will either work or is one better than the other? Thank you and can't wait to try these!
ReplyDeleteThank you for catching that. Yes - you can use either one :)
DeleteBoth of the granola bar recipes look really yummy. Can't wait to do my own taste test :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of coconut. Can these recipes be made without? Would you add something in its place or up the oatmeal a little?
Thanks for any help on that.
You can definitely sub out the coconut. I would think a few more oats or nuts would work well.
DeleteJust made these. They're delicious. Next time I am going to try almond butter.
ReplyDeleteOoooh!I bet almond butter would taste great :)
DeleteJust made these and they were delicious! I didn't have any coconut home so I left that out. I also used 1/2 of peanuts instead of cashews and the honey, not maple syrup. I'm making another batch to send to my sister who can't have gluten. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI "stumbled" across this recipe and it sounds DIVINE and right up my alley. Wondering...to add to the sesame seeds, would you recommend tahini in place of PB at all, or no? Maybe too overpowering? I do like the idea of honey instead of sugary syrup. I also assume you can change up the nuts? My hubby can't eat cashews but we love almonds! Thanks so much. I want to try this recipe out NOW!!!
ReplyDeleteYou can definitely change up the nuts :) As for the tahini - I've actually never used tahini so I couldn't tell you. :/ If you do try it, let us know how it works!
DeleteWhat is flax? Dumb Brit here.... thanks.
ReplyDeleteFlax is a seed (I get my from the local health food store) that is a great source of fiber and micronutrients. Is supposedly can help lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
Delete